Billy Madison MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +1/2 Content: -3

Undoubtedly the front-runner for the worst film of 1995, BILLY MADISON could have been better titled DUMBEST. Billy (Saturday Night Live alumnus Adam Sandler), is the 27-year-old only child of hotel tycoon Brian Madison (Darren McGavin). Spoiled Billy has never grown up. The highlight of his life is reading "girlie" magazines and placing flaming bags of dog feces on neighbors' porches. Brian wants to retire, but it's obvious that Billy is not equipped to oversee the family enterprise. Billy makes a deal with his father to repeat all his schooling through high school, two weeks in each grade. Billy falls for his beautiful second grade teacher (Bridgette Wilson). This feeble attempt to capitalize on the success of ACE VENTURA and DUMB AND DUMBER falls way short of the mark.

The intensity of objectionable material is very high for a PG-13 film. A lame attempt to have Billy learn lessons about treating other people as he would like to be treated is quickly lost amongst the offensive, supposedly comedic gags and dialogue. Although there is no nudity or sexual intercourse, both are discussed with extremely bad taste and cruelty throughout the film. Billy uses obscenities in classrooms, bringing waves of laughter from the other students. On a dare, he "accidentally" touches the teacher's breast, again to the delight of his classmates. In his room, Billy has an outhouse with women's photos on the walls, with a suggestive recording that plays when the door is opened. On Valentine's Day, Billy's valentines include one from the school principal, a homosexual. The school bus driver is also a sexual deviant, whose actions are disgusting. His teacher helps him with history by having him remove an article of clothing every time he answers correctly. Violence includes a former classmate-turned-deranged-killer shooting a man and an injured clown shown with blood trickling from his mouth. The viewer comes out feeling dirty and defiled. Don't let the carefully edited advertising fool you. If you love your children, keep them away from BILLY MADISON.

Preview Reviewer: Pete Zimowski
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal Blvd., Universal City, CA 91608